D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
The D.A.R.E. program was first conceived by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1983. What started modestly is now taught in 75% of the School Districts and 47 countries around the world. Twenty-five million students in the United States and 33 million world-wide will benefit from from the program which gives children the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, or violence.
Our D.A.R.E program has been in effect since 1989 with Officer Dan Tyrpak heading the program. To date, over 500 students have graduated from the program that educates the fifth grade and Jr. High School age groups. Each year we add more to the list who have learned how to say no to drugs, gangs, and violence.
D.A.R.E. is an Officer-led in-classroom anti-drug, anti-gang, anti-violence program for school children around the world. Its mission is to provide children with the information and skills needed to live drug-and-violence-free lives. In addition, it establishes a positive relationships between the students and law enforcement, teachers, parents, and other community leaders. Each D.A.R.E. officer receives 80 hours of special training so they will be equipped with all the tools needed to teach a course in drug resistance and violence avoidance techniques.
When you visit the D.A.R.E. home page you will find that the lessons focus on:
- Providing accurate information about alcohol and drugs
- Teaching students decision-making skills
- Showing them how to resist peer pressure
- Giving them ideas for alternatives to drug use, violence and drugs
Important information regarding substance abuse can be found on these websites:
- National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
- National Families In Action
- Drug Free America
- Web of Addictions
- Al-Anon-Alateen
If you are interested in other matters dealing with the Juvenile Justice System, you can also check out this web site:
If you have any questions, you can contact Officer Latino by calling (708) 867-4353 or e-mailing him at [email protected]